Walker Downtown Development Authority

City of Walker Walker Downtown Development Authority Agenda Fire Station #2 - Upper Level 4101 Lake Michigan Drive NW Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 7:30 AM 1. Call Meeting to Order - Record Attendance 2. Approval of Minutes a) January 21, 2025 3. Business Relations Manager Updates a) Standale Branding Updates b) Summer Concerts Festivities Discussion c) Other Updates 4. Central Standale Subarea Plan Discussion 5. Planning Updates 6. Next Meeting Date and Time - Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 7:30 AM 7. Other Business/Updates 8. Adjournment If you have any questions or are unable to attend a meeting, please contact Jessica Marion at 616.791.6878 Page 1 of 3  City of Walker Walker Downtown Development Authority Tuesday, January 21, 2025 7:30 AM - Fire Station #2 - Upper Level 4243 Remembrance Road NW 1. Call Meeting to Order - Record Attendance The meeting was called to order by Chair D. Brinza at 7:34 am. Members present: D. Brinza, D. Prato, D. Schmalzel, J. DeGroot, J. Banfill, and M. Grooters. Members absent: T. Hiller, R. Smith, C. Ludwick and S. Boersma. Also present: Mayor Gary Carey, DPW Director Gary Postema, and Assistant City Manager Frank Wash. 2. Introduce New DDA Members D. Brinza introduced new DDA member Jamie Banfill, Manager for Shots Grill and Shots on the River. 3. Approval of Minutes Motion by D. Schmalzel, supported by J. DeGroot, to approve the minutes of the December 17, 2024, DDA meeting. Motion carried. 4. Discuss RFP Proposals for the Standale Subarea D. Brinza stated the subcommittee met and went through all 6 RFPs received. They narrowed it down to three qualified consulting teams: McKenna, Progressive and Rowe. There was discussion held. Motion by J. DeGroot, with support by M. Grooters to have F. Wash move forward to set up interviews with the three companies. Motion Carried. 5. Business Relations Manager Updates N. DiDonato presented the updated Standale Logo with the changes requested from last months DDA meeting. Discussion held by members and staff. Motion by M. Grooters, supported by J. DeGroot, to approve the presented Standale Logo as updated. Motion carried. N. DiDonato gave a brief presentation of Placer AI comparing the trends in Standale from 2019 to 2024. She reviewed the trends of visitor traffic, demographic shifts, geographic origin, and the economic impact. She explained the visitor age group from 2019 to 2024 shifted toward the younger demographic, with 'Singles and Starters' in the age group of 18-34 years increasing from 19.7% in 2019 to 24.2% in 2024. Consumer spending decreased slightly over 5 years, which aligned with lower visitation rates. Restaurants and entertainment venues fared better in the 5 years compared to retail establishments. There was discussion held on Page 2 of 3  possible causes. The members discussed the need to recruit and attract the 'right businesses' to help attract the younger demographic. There was discussion held. 6. Planning Updates  Vista-45 plans will return to the Planning Commission in February with a revised plan.  Panda Express - is expected to submit an area plan for the lot between Aldi and the Consumers Credit Union.  Siciliano's at 3880 Lake Michigan Drive NW will have a soft opening this week. 7. Other Business/Updates D.Schmalzel stated:  The Walker Kent District Library officially closed down on Saturday. They are in the process of moving to their temporary location at the Standale Plaza which will open on February 3rd.  The DDA Special Assessment bills have gone out.  Will begin the budget process for the year. D. DeVries will be in attendance for the February or March DDA meeting to review the budget and provide some recommendations. Gary Postema stated that DPW is busy with snow removal. 8. Next Meeting Date and Time - Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 7:30 AM 9. Adjourned Motion by D. Schmalzel, with support by D. J. DeGroot to adjourn the meeting at 8:39 AM. Motion carried. If you have any questions or are unable to attend a meeting, please contact Jessica Marion at 616.791.6878 Page 3 of 3